Client Spotlight: Clay Harris

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Clay first started coming to Empower in July of 2010.  His lone goal was to lose weight.  Since then he’s come in once per week for an hour workout with Paul and then twice on his own to do the same workout.  After a few months he also began running on his own, starting the “Couch-to-5k” program.

Clay is a computer whiz and super-imposed two pictures of himself sans ~90 pounds

The results have been pretty amazing.  In a year and a few months  Clay has lost over 120 pounds!  He’s lost about nine inches off his chest, 13 inches off his waist, and 10 inches off his hips.  He has worked up to jogging three miles straight and will be in his first 5K race in the next few weeks.  During our initial assessment Clay held a plank for 45 seconds and he recently doubled that effort.  He can bench press 225 lbs, power clean 185 lbs, push press 185 lbs, dead lift 325 lbs, and squat 225 lbs.  Here’s a video of his 225 lb bench press:

And my personal favorite, his 1000# sled pull:

We asked Clay a few questions and here are his responses:

Empower Personal Training (EPT): Have you noticed increased endurance?

Clay Harris (CH): Definitely, the stairs don’t scare me now.  (Editors note: Empower is in a seven story building with 150 stairs)

EPT: Core strength?

CH: I feel much stronger.

EPT: Anything else?

CH: My guns are stronger and bigger.

EPT: Less stressed?

CH: Time at Empower is my no-stress time.  I don’t think about anything else when I’m there.  It’s great.

EPT: More confident?

CH: Sure, though my wife would like me to stop flexing in the mirror.  Also, I’ve disliked the feeling of being judged when going to the gym.  At Empower, it’s like going to hang out with your friends for an hour and working out.  I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

It has been a blast working with Clay and seeing his drastic results.  We will continue to work towards his goals of losing weight and flexing his guns in the mirror so look for another update in the next few months!

Paul Piracci, BS CSCS

Paul brings a background of athletics and education to the Empower team. He believes that wellness should be viewed as a blended lifestyle that balances nutrition, a healthy mind, and fitness which incorporates fun recreational activities. For more information about Empower Personal Training please call (919) 401-8024.

Last Chance to Detox before the Holidays!

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It’s chilly today which reminds me that the holiday season is not far away. As much as I love the holidays, I always dread the very real potential for weight gain during a month of what seems like non-stop eating and merriment.

In preparation for the caloric onslaught I like to do our 21 Day Cleanse before the third week in November. This simple three week regimen serves several purposes. One is the obvious weight loss. The average participant who has 10 or more pounds to lose will lose around 10lbs. That’s a great head start on evening the weight management playing field during the temptation filled end of the year. Second, due to the supplements which support us through this simple regimen, we are able to truly nourish our cells bringing a sense of well being, balance and renewal. Third, because the eating plan is very straightforward for three weeks, you get to realize where your “problem” eating areas are (ie. Wow, I would be mindlessly eating in front of the tv or at my desk at work right now. That’s a lot of extra calories. No wonder it’s been so hard to lose weight. I didn’t even know I was doing this!). This sudden awareness is a valuable tool you will carry with you well after the cleanse is over. Finally, the fourth point is that because you have eaten nothing but whole foods in moderate quantities for 21 days, your stomach is smaller which means that you are satisfied while eating less. This way you can go into the holidays mentally and physically prepared to eat less without feeling deprived. It’s such a bonus!

So rather than getting on the scale on January 1st to feel regret or disappointment, take on a simple three week cleansing program before Thanksgiving week approaches. It can set you up for success during the holidays and a give you great jump start for the New Year.

Cheers!
Cara

One Man and Paleo (Day 6/7)

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All righty, then end of a week of Paleo.

Here’s the wrapup. I knew going in that the weekend (Day 6/7) was going to be tough. Weekends are traditionally, for me, the times when I get lax and slip up. Well, I didn’t. Stayed strong, except on Sunday evening but that was by choice.

Saturday went well and I ate well. Had more fruit then veggies on this day but part of that is because it’s what was in the frig. Still jamming on the chicken/salsa/avocado concoction. Although I will say the last time I went to the grocery store my eyes just about popped out of my head at the price of avocados. Sheesh.

Feel good, not blouted. I lost 4 1/2 pounds of the week. Read that again. 4 1/2 lbs. Take a good look at that and remember I was doing NO training. I hope this helps to emphasize just how important nutrition is in your overall well being.

Last thing to take away from this. I’m going to do it longer. I’ve decided to do an entire month of paleo. Want to see how my body adjusts (I’m not sure a week was really long enough for it to start making the changes that I suspect will happen.) I’m also going to add in one meal that’s higher carbohydrate then the rest of the week. In this meal I’ll eat some starchy carbs like bread or pasta. But it’ll be for one meal. My idea behind this is much like exercise. Changing things up so your body never completely adapts. I think the one ‘off” meal will give my body some variety. Also, I’m going to start adding some training back in. This may see some adjustments to HOW MUCH I’m eating but I’m not planning to change WHAT I’m eating.

I’ll keep blogging about my experience but only every Monday. I’ll give the week wrap-up then.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to leave a comment here or drop me an email.

By the way, the cheat meal I had last night was pizza at the loop. A white pizza with lots of chicken added. Very yummy.

Mike Babbitt, M.F.A, M.A., CSCS

Master Trainer

Mike is a Master Level trainer at Empower Personal Training. He has a unique approach to fitness that combines his scientific foundation of research and applied exercise physiology with his artistic experience as a professional stage actor. For more information about Empower Personal Training please call (919) 401-8024

One Man and Paleo (Day 5)

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Day 5 and I keep rocking. Had some more shrimp and a little pork tenderloin today to go with the fruits and veggies. Cravings have gone away for the most part.

Two more days! See you soon.

Mike Babbitt, M.F.A, M.A., CSCS

Master Trainer

Mike is a Master Level trainer at Empower Personal Training. He has a unique approach to fitness that combines his scientific foundation of research and applied exercise physiology with his artistic experience as a professional stage actor. For more information about Empower Personal Training please call (919) 401-8024

One Man and Paleo (Day 4)

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Day 4. Food is good. Today made a few change-ups in what I’m eating. I had a huge salad with lots of greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and two nice salmon fillets and ate on this throughout the day. Quite good when you throw in a handful of olives and a few walnuts. Also still had my concoction from Day 2 and 3 as one of my meals.

I think I may have over done the nuts a little. I found myself snacking on an almond/cashew/pistachio mix a little too much and consequently I felt ‘full’ most of the day.

The one psychological/physiological thing that happened was going all day craving a snickers bar. Not just any sweet. I was just jonesing for a frozen snickers bar. Thankfully I got through it all right without indulging.

All in all, I think everything is going pretty well. Haven’t weighed yet (I’ll do that for Day 7) but I can tell I’m done some. Except for Day 4 I’m actually getting to enjoy the slight hungry feeling all the time. It’s got a sense of urgency to it that keeps me motivated.

See you all tomorrow.

Mike Babbitt, M.F.A, M.A., CSCS

Master Trainer

Mike is a Master Level trainer at Empower Personal Training. He has a unique approach to fitness that combines his scientific foundation of research and applied exercise physiology with his artistic experience as a professional stage actor. For more information about Empower Personal Training please call (919) 401-8024